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Library of Congress Classification System | Call Numbers and Shelving

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

In Courtright Memorial Library, books and other materials are arranged by subject using the Library of Congress Classification System. Subjects are assigned one or two letter codes according to the table below; more specific subjects are defined using a variation on the lettering.  For example, TK is electrical engineering.

CALL NUMBERS AND SHELVING

Each item is assigned a call number designating its subject and place on the shelf.  The call number usually has three parts. 

• The first part contains one or two letters that represent the broad subject area.
• The second part consists of numbers that further subdivide the subject.
• The third part consists of a name code using both letters and numbers to signify the author's name. 

Books and other materials are shelved alphabetically by the first letter of the first line of the call number, then by the second letter (if there is one).  Within each letter(s) grouping, the numbers and author name codes further order the materials. 

Numbers are arranged as whole numbers so that 20 comes before 200 and 541 is before 987.  A decimal point separates the number from the author name code; numbers within the author name code are shelved as decimal numbers so that .A55 comes before .A6.

Materials marked A-K are found on the second floor of the library.  Materials marked L and N-Z are found on the third floor of the library.   Materials marked M are found in the lower level.